Removal tool for air conditioning equipment

ABSTRACT

A tool for removing a damper-control module assembly from a ceiling air terminal comprising first and second members having hooked end portions, said members being connected to form a unitary assembly, said hooked end portions defining an opening for receiving a portion of said damper-control module assembly.

United States Patent [191 Toper [451 Apr. 30, 1974 REMOVAL TOOL FOR AIR CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT 75] Inventor: Walter B. Toper, Tully, NY.

[73] Assignee: Carrier Corporation, Syracuse, NY.

[22] Filed: Nov. 26, 1969 [21] Appl. No.: 880,033

[52] US. Cl. 20/278 [51] Int. Cl. B25b 27/14 [58] Field of Search 29/278, 283; 269/97, 98;

' 24/255 FH, 73 B, 81 B [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,654,632 lO/l953 Herbert 29/278 UX 3/1962 Tomaiuolo 24/255 FH UX FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,145,127 10/1957 France 24/73 B 577,468 6/1959 Canada 24/73 B Primary Examiner-Andrew R. Juhasz Assistant Examiner-Leon Gilden Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Barry E. Deutsch ABSTRACT A tool for removing a damper-control module assembly from a ceiling air terminal comprising first and second members having hooked end portions, said members being connected to form a unitary assembly,

said hooked end portions defining an opening for re-.

ceiving a portion of said damper-control module assembly.

1 Claim, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR 30. m4 3 Q 807L023 sum 1 or 3 INVENTOR.

WeLTER B TOPER ATTORNEY FIGI iPA'TENTEUAPR 30 1974 3807.023

sum a nr 3 INVENTOR.

WALTER B. TOPER ATTORNEY ATENTED APR 3 0 i974 SHEET 3 (IF 3 INVENTOR.

WALTER 8. TO PER B x (4 Dig Lt I ATTORNEY REMOVAL TOOL FOR AIR CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to air conditioning equipment of the type adapted for connection to a source of conditioned air and, more particularly, to a novel tool to be employed when it is desired to effectuate removal of a portion of said air conditioning equipment.

The air conditioning equipment includes a ceiling air terminal, operable to deliver a supply of conditioned air to one or more areas requiring conditioning. The air conditioning equipment further includes a dampercontrol module assembly removably mounted in the ceiling air terminal. The assembly is operable to regulate the supply of conditioned air from the ceiling air terminal. Connecting means, such as spring clips, are used to mount the control assembly in the terminal. Additionally, considerable frictional forces, due to sealing gaskets, operate to maintain the control assembly mounted within the ceiling terminal.

To overcome these forces when it is desired to remove the assembly from the terminal, for example when repairs to the assembly become necessary, a novel tool is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a tool for removing a damper-control module assembly from a ceiling air terminal. The tool comprises first and second members having hooked end portions, said members being movably connected to form a unitary assembly, said hooked end portions defining an opening for receiving the diffuser section of the module assembly when it is desired to remove said assembly from said terminal.

In a second embodiment, at least one of said hooked end portions includes at least one elongated member extending therefrom, said elongated member being adapted to disengage the connecting means securing said damper-control module assembly to said ceiling air terminal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a portion of air conditioning equipment illustrating the air terminal to which the present invention relates;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the damper-control module assembly located for insertion into the ceiling air terminal of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the novel tool disclosed herein;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the novel tool of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an air terminal with the damper-control module assembly and the insulated side walls thereof removed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT narily open at both ends for connecting a series of terminals end to end to provide a complete air discharge system. The ceiling terminals are connected to a supply air duct 16, which is provided to supply conditioned air to ceiling air terminals located in rooms or areas in an enclosure. The conditioned air is treated in a central air conditioning apparatus not shown. An air supply distribution plate 13 having a plurality of collared openings 14 therein is provided to evenly distribute the primary air from supply chamber 1 1 into a distribution chamber 15 which is defined by the top and side walls of distribution plate 13.

The bottom of distribution chamber 15 includes opposed cut-off plates 17 which are provided with a curved surface 18 for engagement by bladders 19 and 20 to form a damper. The curved surfaces smooth the flow of air through the damper to minimize the pressure drop therethrough and minimize noise generated within the terminal. Surface 18 is covered with felt 21 to further minimize noise. By varying the inflation of the bladders, the area of the openings between the bladders and the cut-off plates can be varied to regulate the quantity of air discharged into the area being conditioned.

The bladders l9 and 20 are adhesively mounted on a central partition comprised of opposed generally convex plates 22. The plates have a V-shaped recess therein so the bladders are completely recessed within the plates when deflated. This provides a large area between the active walls 23 of the bladders and the cutoff plates for maximum air flow therebetween. Further, the recessed bladder provides a smooth surface along plates 22 to minimize air turbulence.

The damper mechanism is disposed a substantial distance upstream from the terminal outlet to provide substantial space therebetween to absorb any noise generated by the damper mechanism. For maximum sound absorption, downwardly extending walls 24, which form air passages in conjunction with plates 22, are lined with a sound absorbing material such as glass fiber blankets 25. Outlet members 26, having outwardly flared lower portions 27, are affixed as by welding tothe walls 24.

The damper-control module assembly illustrated in FIG; 2 is comprised of convex plates 22, bladders 19 and 20, and a control module 28 mounted on triangular diffuser section 29. The control module consists of a frame 30 having filters 31, pressure regulators 32, and thermostats 33 mounted therein. The filters 31 are provided with openings, not shown, in the top surface thereof for communication with primary chamber 11 when the damper-control module assembly is inserted into the air terminal. Filtered air from filters 31 is supplied to pressure regulators 32. Control air from pressure regulators 32 is supplied to thermostats 33 and bladders 19 and 20. For a complete description of the operation of the control system, reference may be had to U.S. Pat. No. 3,167,253, granted Jan. 26, 1965, Richard A. Church et al., inventors.

The illustrated control module is provided with two filters, two regulators, and two thermostats to control bladders 19 and 20 independently. This may be desired when the air terminal is disposed above a room partitioned for individual damper control on each side of the partitions. It should be understood that a single set of control elements may be employed to control both bladders simultaneously. By reference to FIG. 5, it can be seen that the air terminal is provided with three downwardly extendingpartition members 34 to provide a control section 35 and an air discharge section 36. It should be understood that the portion of distribution plate 13 above control section 35 is imperforate and that the cut-off plates 17 do not extend within the control section. The partitions are provided with recessed portions 37 which act as guides for slidably receiving the damper-control module assembly. Suitable connecting means, such as spring clips 38, are provided to hold the damper-control module assembly within the air terminal. The control section is sealed from the remainder of the terminal to prevent leakage of conditioned air therein. Room air may, therefore, pass upwardly into the control section over the thermostats to provide damper control in response to room temperature conditions. It can be seen from the foregoing that the portions of the terminals which may require cleaning, adjustment, or repair may be removed by removal of the damper-control module assembly.

The damper-control module assembly is not only maintained within the ceiling terminal by the connecting means, such as spring clips 38, but considerable frictional forces provided by sealing gaskets (not shown) operate to maintain the assembly within the terminal. To overcome the considerable forces, a special tool is required to withdraw the module assembly from the terminal. As shown in FIG. 2, the tool 39 is used to grasp the diffuser portion of the dampercontrol module assembly.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 3, a preferred embodiment of the novel tool disclosed herein is shown. The tool 39 comprises a first member 40 and a second member 41 connected together by a rolled pin 42 to form a unitary assembly. Members 40 and 41 include hooked end portions 43 and 44, which define a generally U-shaped opening therebetween. Rolled pin 42 permits relative movement between the two members 40 and 41. The U-shaped opening, defined by the hooked end portions, slidably receives the diffuser section of the damper-control module assembly. When the tool shown in FIG. 3 is used, separate means are required to release the spring clips or other connecting means before the module assembly may be withdrawn from the ceiling air terminal. The person removing the module assembly will grasp the tool and supply sufficient force to the tool so that the module assembly may be withdrawn from the terminal as desired. The tool acts to transmit the force supplied by the person in order to remove the module assembly.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an alternative embodiment of the tool is shown. One of the hooked end portions of members 40 and 41 includes elongated members 45 and 46 extending therefrom. The elongated members operate to release the spring clips maintaining the module assembly within the ceiling terminal. It should be understood that both hooked end portions may include the elongated members and, additionally, any number of elongated members may be included as is convenient, depending upon the size of the tool and the number of connecting means employed.

From the foregoing it is apparent that the novel tool disclosed herein provides a simple, compact, and relatively inexpensive means for removing the dampercontrol module assembly from a ceiling air terminal when such is required.

While I have described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is understood that it is not so limited thereto since it may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A tool for removing a damper-control module assembly from a ceiling air terminal adapted for connection to a source of conditioned air, said damper-control module assembly including a substantially triangular shaped diffuser section and means connecting said module assembly to said terminal, said tool comprising:

A. a first member having a hooked end portion;

B. a second member having a hooked end portion;

and

C. means connecting said first and said second members to form a unitary assembly, said members being connected to permit relative movement therebetween, said hooked end portions defining a substantially U-shaped opening when said members are in close adjacency, said U-shaped opening being adapted to slidably receive said diffuser section of said damper-control module assembly wherein at least one of said hooked end portions includes at least one elongated member extending therefrom, said elongated member being adapted to disengage said connecting means securing said damper-control module assembly to said ceiling air terminal. 

1. A tool for removing a damper-control module assembly from a ceiling air terminal adapted for connection to a source of conditioned air, said damper-control module assembly including a substantially triangular shaped diffuser section and means connecting said module assembly to said terminal, said tool comprising: A. a first member having a hooked end portion; B. a second member having a hooked end portion; and C. means connecting said first and said second members to form a unitary assembly, said members being connected to permit relative movement therebetween, said hooked end portions defining a substantially U-shaped opening when said members are in close adjacency, said U-shaped opening being adapted to slidably receive said diffuser section of said damper-control module assembly wherein at least one of said hooked end portions includes at least one elongated member extending therefrom, said elongated member being adapted to disengage said connecting means securing said damper-control module assembly to said ceiling air terminal. 